BOWERMASTER, James Herbert 'Bert' 1876 - 1929

BOWERMASTER, MASON, RODIBAUGH, SCHLIEF, WELLS, STEWART

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 5/25/2021 at 20:23:28

"The Fairfield Daily Ledger"
Wednesday, December 18, 1929
Front Page, Column 1

STOPS TO WIPE WINDSHIELD, IS STRUCK; KILLED
Bert BOWERMASTER Victim of An Unavoidable Accident On Way to See Sick Wife

Funeral services for Bert BOWERMASTER will be held tomorrow afternoon (Thursday) at the Hoskins funeral home at 2 o'clock. They will be conducted by Rev. W. H. McDonald of the Free Methodist church, assisted by Rev. O. B. Devine of Des Moines, a former pastor of the local church. Interment will be in Evergreen cemetery.

Making his way through the storm last night to see his wife, sick in the Ottumwa hospital, Bert BOWERMASTER, well known building contractor, was struck by a car and died while being brought to the Jefferson County hospital.

A jury composed of Fred McIntire G. M. Samson and John M. Johnson convened by Dr. J. S. Gaumer, coroner shortly before noon today returned a verdict of unavoidable accident.

Mr. BOWERMASTER had stopped his car on his own side of the paving, about four or five miles west of Fairfield, and had got out to wipe off his windshield, which was coated with ice. He had just stepped out and slammed the door when a car driven by Ralph Maxwell, accompanied by Asher Mullenix, came along, likewise bound for Ottumwa, and struck him, knocking him to the paving and fracturing his skull.

Stop Short

The boys stopped their car and Mullenix ran back and called out. 'My God, we've killed him; he's dying." By that time Maxwell had reached the spot. "Flag that car,' he said to Mullenix. The car, driven by Ed Lorack, stopped and the injured man was loaded into it and hurried to the Jefferson County hospital, where Dr. K. G. Cook made a hasty examination and pronounced him dead.

The body was not thrown any distance but dropped beside his own car. It was the impact with the pavement that gave the fatal injuries. The Maxwell car had only a slightly bent fender. The driver, on approaching the car had swerved to the left to avoid it as far as possible and Maxwell, intent upon the road, did not see Mr. BOWERMASTER at all.

Watching Road

Maxwell had stopped at the Stark oil station west of the city to remove the ice from his windshield and was riving about 20 to 25 miles an hour, watching through the lower half of the windshield, fast coating with ice again, and out the door, to see his way. He noted the outlines of the BOWERMASTER car, but said he did not see Mr. BOWERMASTER step out into his path. Mullenix saw the strike and called out and the car was stipped (sic) in two or three lengths, and the boys ran back to find the victim lying on the paving alongside his own car.

Some basketball players from Eldon, coming to Fairfield for a game with the high school, also stopped, and among them all, the cars were brought back to Fairfield.

53 Years Old

Mr. BOWERMASTER is 53 years old, having been born in this county December 15, 1876 (sic - November 9, 1876). He married when he was 21, his bride being Miss Maude MASON. Mrs. BOWERMASTER, together with six children, survive. The children are: Eldon, Herbert, Willard, Margaret, Katherine and Mrs. William RODIBAUGH. His father, John BOWERMASTER, is living, as are also four brothers, Claude and Fred, who lived in Fairfield; Earl of Rock Island, Ill.; and Charles of Waukesha, Wis. A sister, Mrs. William SCHIEF (sic - SCHLIEF), died in 1901. Mrs. Pauline WELLS of Marshalltown is a foster sister, and Mrs. T. R. STEWART of Detroit is a step-sister.

Mr. BOWERMASTER at the time of his death, had the new Davies building at Second and Burlington streets, under construction.

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"The Fairfield Daily Ledger"
Friday, December 20, 1929
Front Page, Column 4

PAY TRIBUTE TO BOWERMASTER
last Rites Held From the Hoskins Funeral Home Yesterday at 2 Oclock

Funeral services for Bert BOWERMASTER, who died at the Jefferson County hospital following an auto accident, were held yesterday at the Hoskins funeral home at 2 oclock in charge of Rev. W. H. McDonald assisted by Rev. O. B. Devine of Des Moines.

The music was furnished by Rev. and Mrs. Devine. The floral offerings were beautiful and profuse. The casket attendants were: Fred Nutt, Raymond STEWART, R. C. Norman, Harrison Hoglin, H. D. Repass and Mr. Roamer from Ottumwa. Interment took place in Evergreen cemetery.

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"The Fairfield Daily Ledger"
Friday, December 20, 1929
Page THREE, Columns 2 and 3

WEST END ITEMS
By Lucile Vogt

... Quite a few friends of Bert BOWERMASTER were very much surprised to hear of his sudden death which occurred Tuesday night on highway 24 west of the city. ...

(same publication and page, but Column 4 -- )

CARD OF THANKS

We wish to express our thanks to the friends and neighbors for their kindness to us during the death of our beloved husband and father. Also for the beautiful floral offerings.

Mrs. Bert BOWERMASTER and Children

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Buried in Lot 3rd.147. Wife Maude died in 1933 and is buried with him.